People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure. Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit.
When the temperature drops, you turn on your heater and wait for it to get warm and cozy in your home. The last thing you want to do is start sneezing, blowing your nose, and coughing! However, many homeowners begin noticing these symptoms as soon as their heater begins working.
Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit. People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure, especially during the colder seasons. Many assume they caught “that bug going around” or another type of illness. However, if you notice persistent symptoms this winter, your heating system may be affecting your indoor air quality, and it’s worth getting it checked out.
We have used Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating for AC issues for the last two years. We have been so happy with the service we have received both times. This year, we just needed a little maintenance as our unit wasn’t working to its full potential. I called first thing in the morning and was able to get a same day appointment! Nick was so personable and knowledgeable, and he got us back up and running and no time. Thank you again for saving us from the summer heat!! We are so grateful for the amazing customer service you guys provide!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Teri, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC needs over the past two years; we're glad Nick could help get your unit back to its best, and we truly appreciate your gratitude for our service!
I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann for anything involving HVAC. The person replacing my furnace, Britton Buehrig, was Professional and took pride in his work. The job was very cleanly done.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ray, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear that you were provided with professional service and a clean installation. Your satisfaction means a lot to us.
I txt Thomas Hoffman air-conditioning and heating Sunday early evening about 6:30 and just left A detailed message of what was going on with my AC I received an automated reply, saying they would contact me soon. I heard from them the next Morning at 11 AM to confirm what was going on with my unit and said they would have a Tech out today still but would be the last call between 6 and 8pm. I expected to get an appointment 2 to 3 days later. We’re in the middle of about an 8 to 10 day Heat wave of Mid to upper 90s. So imagine my surprise when I received a call from Zachary at 3:20 telling me he was in Saint Charles and was on his way to my house to look at the unit. When I explained what was wrong on the phone, he was pretty confident. He knew what it was once he got here, pulled off the cover and sure enough it was the capacitor. Pull the old one off and install the new one turned it back on and boom I have cold air blowing. I would highly recommend Thomas Hoffman, AC and heating and if you can request a certain Tech Zachary is your guy he is great super Frndly got the job done quickly and even interacted with my dogs Who are super friendly
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for sharing your experience with us! We're glad to hear that Zachary was able to resolve your AC issue quickly and that he made a positive impression on both you and your dogs. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again!
We can’t say how happy we are with the quick and efficient service! We came home Friday evening after work on a 95 degree day (with a week of 90 degree weather ahead) and our A/C was totally out. We called this small business owner around 6pm and he was here by 7:25. He replaced our wires, had cool air running, gave us some helpful tips for the future, and was already out the door by 7:50. He was very polite, friendly, straightforward, and saved our evening/weekend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Morgan, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad our team could provide quick and efficient service to keep you comfortable during the heat. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Giovanni was so great. Explained things so I understood. He is kind. I appreciated him cleaning up and being so nice. Thank you.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Peggy! We're so glad to hear Giovanni made your experience enjoyable and that his kindness stood out to you. Your appreciation means a lot to us!
Tom & Nick have taken care of all our HVAC needs for multiple properties for over a decade. Great team.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Kurt, for your kind words; we're grateful for your continued trust in our business for your HVAC needs over the years!
We recently moved into an older home and had an issue with the AC not working. We called and were offered a same-day appointment. Nick was fantastic—very knowledgeable and professional. He quickly diagnosed the issue with the air handler and got it fixed, and also installed a new thermostat for us. He was honest and straightforward with his recommendations and never pushed unnecessary products. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Adriana, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear Nick was able to help you with your AC issue and provide excellent service. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Zach worked fast and answered all my questions with ease.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Stephanie! We're glad to hear that Zach provided you with quick and helpful answers.
Thomas Hoffman replaced my water heater. They were effective, efficient and pleasant people with whom to work.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words about Thomas and the team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience with your water heater replacement.
Nick was a true expert in explaining our options for a new thermostat.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Robert, for your kind words about Nick's expertise; we're glad he could help you with your thermostat options!
Responsive! Came over, even after hours to help resolve a critical issue that was caused by a lightning strike causing a gas leak. Would highly recommend!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad our team was able to assist you promptly, especially during such a critical situation. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Having Tom come to our aid was a great experience and he offered followup assistance with the fancy technology part of the appliance if we need it. We will call him again if the need arises. Merry Christmas.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Marilyn! We're glad to hear that Nick was able to assist you and provide follow-up support. We appreciate your trust in us and wish you a Merry Christmas!
They got the job done, we're very quick and very kind!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your feedback and are glad we could assist you efficiently.
Great service. Responsive. Well trained technicians. Honest friendly and thorough. I highly recommend Tom Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team.
As always, the Hoffmann technician was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your kind words about our technician and for your continued trust in Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating; we truly appreciate your support!
These guys are pros.
Techs are friendly, listen and explain what they are doing.
Office staff is responsive.
Fast service....
Response from the owner:Thank you, Clark, for your kind words! We're glad to hear our techs and office staff made your experience a great one. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Excellent service. A/C went out on a weekend. Called them on Saturday morning, they were out within about 2 hours. The fix was easy enough, and he even had the part in the truck! I recommend this company for all of your HVAC needs
Response from the owner:Thank you, Elaine! We're glad to hear you received prompt service and that the fix was smooth. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
The service technicians are very courteous and communicate well with the customer. They let you know what, if any, problems are found, the options, and the cost of the repair(s). Quick and efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our service technicians' courteous and effective communication, we appreciate your feedback!
These guys were great. Quick to return my call. Up front pricing. Great work on the installation. And the installers were nice and friendly. Highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Steve! We truly appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear you had such a positive experience with our team and Thomas Hoffmann. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Hoffmann came out the same day I called them because our AC was out. The technician, Ryan, was able to get the system running again, was polite and responded to my questions. We’re off to a good start!
Response from the owner:Thank you, John! We're glad to hear Ryan was able to help and that you’re off to a good start with your AC. We appreciate your feedback!
Thomas came over promptly I spoke with him about my concerns with my unit. Immediately got to work trouble shooting and resolved my issues. A+
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words and for recognizing Thomas's promptness and dedication in resolving your concerns; we appreciate your feedback!
We have called Thomas Hoffmann many times and they are very prompt and very professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for your kind words about Thomas Hoffmann's promptness and professionalism; we truly appreciate your feedback!
Super friendly, helpful, and quick to make the fix.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jack! We're glad to hear you found our service friendly and efficient; your feedback means a lot to us!
Not a customer, but witnessed one of their technicians have an episode of road rage in Clayton. I would be concerned about letting them into my house/business.
We really trust Thomas Hoffman AC and Heating. Nick Hoffman has serviced our units several times now and he is professional, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. He comes on time, so we don’t have to schedule a long waiting period. We would highly recommend this company.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Greg, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC and heating needs; we’re glad to hear that Nick has provided you with such great service.
We’ve been looking for a locally owned small HVAC dealer for a few years. And we found it with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. We love their service technicians. They come on time, they know what they are doing, they don’t upsell you on every appointment and they like working for Thomas Hoffmann. A happy employee makes for a happy customer.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wonderful experience with us; we're glad to hear you appreciate our technicians and their commitment to great service!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner:Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
quick to arrive and fast service
Response from the owner:Thank you, Connie, for your kind words about our quick arrival and fast service; we appreciate your feedback!
Very good, pleased with service.
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our service and appreciate your kind words.
Excellent service from Nick!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret! We appreciate your kind words and will make sure to pass along your praise to Nick for his excellent service.
I am very pleased with the service provided.
, especially the quick response to my request . The technician came in themorning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
Response from the owner:We're delighted we could promptly assist you on a Sunday morning and fix your cooling system efficiently. Thank you!
Here on time, worked fast. Always pleasant and great answering questions. Zach always does a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Debra, for your kind words; we're glad to hear Zach made a positive impression and that you had a great experience with our team!
great job
Response from the owner:Thank you, Joe! We appreciate your kind words and the support from everyone involved.
Extremely quick response for appointment and did quick fix for our furnace and heat is working great !
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear our team was able to respond quickly and get your furnace working great. We appreciate your feedback!
They were timely, polite, professional and they saved us from too much sweating. In a field full of pompous and arrogant technicians, these guys take the time to explain what is wrong and how they are correcting it. Other folks just assume you are incompetent but these folks take the time to educate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience.
Great service and arrived on time when promised.
Response from the owner:Thank you Wray, for your kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything was on time.
I would like to have a receipt for my payment which I did not receive. On a positive note he was very punctual very early actually he did his job and was very professional and I'm hoping and praying this took care of the issue thank you and I would not hesitate at this time to use your services
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your feedback and for highlighting the punctuality and professionalism of our team; we appreciate your support and will ensure you receive your receipt promptly.
Our experience with them was fantastic all the way through! Not only were they able to get to our business that day but the customer service from the phone call to the on-site service was professional and quick. We'll definitely be using Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear about your fantastic experience and appreciate your kind words about our team's professionalism. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Zachary was here on the dot at 8:00am. Thank for making me the first stop as promised. Very friendly too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our professionalism and friendliness!
Competence and knowledge have been my experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Beth, for sharing your experience; it means a lot to us!
Can Your Furnace Actually Make You Sick?
Bacteria and viruses make us sick. However, dust, mold, mildew growth, and fungi can contribute to allergies. Many of the symptoms of seasonal illnesses are mimicked by the body’s response to breathing in these allergens. Dry air, caused by low humidity, dusty and dirty vents can all contribute to these problems.
Some of the symptoms you may experience this winter while you’re running your furnace may include:
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Itchy nose & sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Dry throat
- Cracked lips
- Dry skin
- Nose bleeds
Central Heating Can Make Other Issues Worse
You may not typically experience allergies until you’re exposed to the allergens in your central heating system. However, for others who already deal with problems, their heating system could exacerbate their problems.
For instance, dry air, dust, and allergens can trigger coughing or shortness of breath if you’ve got asthma. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other lung conditions, may be affected by the air coming out of their HVAC system.
Central heating can also irritate the nose, making sinus infections worse. It can also contribute to dehydration, headaches, or migraines if you’re prone to them.
Why Do I Get a Stuffy Nose When the Air Conditioner Is On?
There are several possible reasons why you may be getting a stuffy nose when your air conditioner is on. Here are the most common reasons.
Allergies to Dust, Pollen, Dust Mites
For people with allergies, a poorly maintained air conditioning unit can exacerbate their condition. Anything from dust mites, mold, pollen, or other allergens can circulate in the indoor air through a dirty air filter. That can lead to a stuffy nose, watery eyes, coughing, and even skin problems.
Replacing or cleaning your air filters as often as the producer recommends is necessary and may even need to be done more often if you live in a dusty area.
Temperature Differences Trigger a Runny Nose
Sometimes, a stuffy nose is simply caused by the difference between the indoor and the outdoor temperature. If the indoor air is much colder than the air outside, getting inside might be followed by a runny, stuffy nose. Some people react more than others to differences in temperature, but the effect should last only a few minutes. Anything more serious than that may be caused by something else.
There is not much you can do about getting a stuffy nose from the temperature differences, but it is relatively harmless.
The Air Conditioner Dries the Air too Much
Air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier, and your nose might get stuffy if the air is too dry. Other related symptoms are coughing, skin rashes, dry skin, and stingy eyes. If you suspect this might be the cause of your problems, get a hygrometer, a simple measuring instrument that indicates the relative humidity in the air. The Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping it in a range between 30 and 60%. If it’s lower than this, it may be a good idea to invest in an air humidifier.
You Are Breathing Recycled Air
Air conditioners circulate the outdoor air, process it through their filtering and cooling systems, and blow it back inside. Anything wrong with your duct system, air filters, or condenser unit can decrease the quality of your indoor air. If your stuffy nose doesn’t go away and the HVAC professional can’t identify an issue with your AC unit, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier.
Having a stuffy nose may not always be related to the air conditioner, so it’s important to make sure there are no underlying health issues, like a viral infection or some other allergy.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
For those with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system, especially young children or the elderly, maintaining indoor air quality is of the utmost importance to overall health. Our expert indoor air quality technicians can install an air purification system in your air ducts.
In addition, your HVAC system needs to be maintained regularly, especially if you have allergies. At least once a year, you’re going to want to have your entire system maintained and your air quality checked. It would help if you also changed your filters every 1-3 months, depending on how many people and pets live in your home.
Certain kinds of mold are toxic to humans, even if you don’t suffer from allergies. You should always have your HVAC ducts tested for mold. Mold growth usually indicates a moisture problem, so a mold inspection can help you pinpoint more significant issues in your home, like water damage.
Indoor Air Quality – St. Louis HVAC
Allergies can substantially negatively impact your physical and mental health, so if you are suffering, don’t ignore them. One of the best things you can do to help your allergies is to maintain good indoor air quality, and your HVAC technician might be your best friend on this front.
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we are a full-service residential heating and air conditioning company in St. Louis. With over 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s HVAC system.
24/7 Service Call Now
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.
